Mother to face criminal charges in son's strep death

Infection can be treated with penicillin, but mother only gave boy, 7, holistic remedies, police allege

Calgary police were called to this apartment building in March 2013 after reports of a child suffering seizures. (CBC)

Criminal charges are pending against a Calgary mother who police allege relied on holistic treatments instead of getting medical help for her seven-year-old son's strep infection.

On the morning of March 2, emergency crews were called to a 17th Avenue S.W. basement suite where a young boy was having a seizure. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy found the cause of death was a strep infection, which would have been treatable with penicillin.

Police allege the mother did not take the boy for treatment, giving him holistic remedies instead.

"The treatment rendered at home was homeopathic in nature. This would include herbal remedies. The mother refused to take the child to a medical professional. No excuse given — just her belief system," said Staff Sgt. Mike Cavilla.

The boy was bedridden for 10 days prior to his death, police allege.

Charges are pending against his 44-year-old mother.

Those charges include criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessaries of life.